Of course, not everyone with a loose crystal develops vertigo. Otoconia can dissolve, or vestibular dark cells, which exist only in the inner ear and help to regulate homeostasis, can absorb them.

However, when these calcium carbonate crystals break free they can float up into the semi circular canals and become obstacles, which then can relay bad information to the balance system and brain.

The Vestibular Disorders Association noted that, “It occurs when some of the calcium carbonate crystals (otoconia) that are normally embedded in gel in the utricle (a fluid-filled cavity within ...

This is calcium carbonate. So is this. And this, and this, and all of these. So, how does the same compound form so many wildly different crystal structures with wildly different properties? It's one ...